Richmond's long-serving mayor dies

Richmond Mayor Hilmar Moore's uninterrupted terms in the city's top seat - he served for 63 years - are believed to be the longest, successive tenure of service of a mayor in Texas, and the longest in the United States.

By Compiled from staff and wire photos

on December 5, 2012 8:01 PM

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

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Hilmar Moore had been the Richmond County Mayor for nearly 60 years and seen 11 USA presidencies. He ran for 29 elections with only 6 of them being opposed. "Nobody want the job," he said. "I started out being paid $1 a month and now for the last 10 years it's been $75 a month. I'm a pretty frugal guy but I have to work outside the city to make a living". Moore died died Tuesday at age 92. less

Hilmar Moore had been the Richmond County Mayor for nearly 60 years and seen 11 USA presidencies. He ran for 29 elections with only 6 of them being opposed. "Nobody want the job," he said. "I started out ... more

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

Hilmar Moore had been the Richmond County Mayor for nearly 60 years... Photo-3850691.53462 - Houston Chronicle

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Dennis Koteras, with the City of Richmond Parks Department, places the flags outside of the Richmond City Hall at half staff in response to the death of Hilmar Moore, one of the longest-serving mayors in the United States Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, in Richmond. Moore died of natural causes Tuesday at age 92, a family member confirmed. Moore, a fifth-generation Texan, was appointed in September 1949 to fill an unexpired term as mayor of Richmond. H less

Dennis Koteras, with the City of Richmond Parks Department, places the flags outside of the Richmond City Hall at half staff in response to the death of Hilmar Moore, one of the longest-serving mayors in the ... more

Hilmar Moore stands in front of a statue of himself in downtown Richmond that was dedicated earlier this year. "Not one dime of tax dollars went towards it," Moore said of the statue funded entirely by private donations. less

Hilmar Moore stands in front of a statue of himself in downtown Richmond that was dedicated earlier this year. "Not one dime of tax dollars went towards it," Moore said of the statue funded entirely by private ... more

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

Hilmar Moore stands in front of a statue of himself in downtown... Photo-3850693.53462 - Houston Chronicle

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Hilmar Moore stands in his parlor where a few of his trophy animals he shot while on safari are displayed.

Hilmar Moore stands in his parlor where a few of his trophy animals he shot while on safari are displayed.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

Hilmar Moore stands in his parlor where a few of his trophy animals... Photo-3850694.53462 - Houston Chronicle

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Hilmar Moore has been involved in politics for nearly 60 years and collected numerous political campaign buttons.

Hilmar Moore has been involved in politics for nearly 60 years and collected numerous political campaign buttons.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

Hilmar Moore has been involved in politics for nearly 60 years and... Photo-3850696.53462 - Houston Chronicle

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Hilmar Moore is an avid hunter and keeps several hunting dogs ready in his kennels for when he goes quail and pheasant hunting.

Hilmar Moore is an avid hunter and keeps several hunting dogs ready in his kennels for when he goes quail and pheasant hunting.

Hilmar Moore has been the Richmond County Mayor for nearly 60 years and seen 11 USA presidencies.

Hilmar Moore has been the Richmond County Mayor for nearly 60 years and seen 11 USA presidencies.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

Hilmar Moore has been the Richmond County Mayor for nearly 60 years... Photo-3850699.53462 - Houston Chronicle

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Portrait of Hilmar Moore, 90, mayor of Richmond, and big game hunter, at his home Monday, Aug. 16, 2010, in Richmond. Moore who took office in 1949 is considered to be the longest-serving mayor in the U.S.

Portrait of Hilmar Moore, 90, mayor of Richmond, and big game hunter, at his home Monday, Aug. 16, 2010, in Richmond. Moore who took office in 1949 is considered to be the longest-serving mayor in the U.S.

Considered to be the longest-serving mayor, Hilmar Moore, 90, who took office in 1949, goes over a construction bid with City Engineer Richard Stolleis of Kelly Kaluza and Associates Monday, Aug. 16, 2010, in Richmond. less

Considered to be the longest-serving mayor, Hilmar Moore, 90, who took office in 1949, goes over a construction bid with City Engineer Richard Stolleis of Kelly Kaluza and Associates Monday, Aug. 16, 2010, in ... more

Considered to be the longest-serving mayor, Hilmar Moore, 90, walks into the Richmond City Hall Annex past a picture of himself when he was first took office in 1949 Monday, Aug. 16, 2010, in Richmond.

Considered to be the longest-serving mayor, Hilmar Moore, 90, walks into the Richmond City Hall Annex past a picture of himself when he was first took office in 1949 Monday, Aug. 16, 2010, in Richmond.

Along with members of his family, Richmond Mayor Hilmar Moore, who has been mayor of Richmond since 1949, waves to the crowd after a statue of him was unveiled on Friday, Oct. 3, 2008, in Richmond, as a way to celebrate his service. Moore, who has been re-elected into the seat 29 times, is the person in the United States believed to be mayor of a city the longest. less

Along with members of his family, Richmond Mayor Hilmar Moore, who has been mayor of Richmond since 1949, waves to the crowd after a statue of him was unveiled on Friday, Oct. 3, 2008, in Richmond, as a way to ... more

Photo: Julio Cortez, Houston Chronicle

Along with members of his family, Richmond Mayor Hilmar Moore, who... Photo-3850706.53462 - Houston Chronicle

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Sugar Land sculptor Bob Pack uses a tool to measure the ankles of Richmond Mayor Hilmar Moore for the life-size statue of Moore that Pack is creating.

Sugar Land sculptor Bob Pack uses a tool to measure the ankles of Richmond Mayor Hilmar Moore for the life-size statue of Moore that Pack is creating.

About 50 persons greeted Chairman Hilmar Moore, right, of the Texas Board of Human Resources as the board met in Austin Friday. The picketers were protesting Moore because of his recent statement calling for the sterilization of mothers on welfare. less

About 50 persons greeted Chairman Hilmar Moore, right, of the Texas Board of Human Resources as the board met in Austin Friday. The picketers were protesting Moore because of his recent statement calling for ... more

Provided photo of Hilmar Moore, right, as a boy with his friend Rufus Powell, and a rather unfortunate wolf.

Provided photo of Hilmar Moore, right, as a boy with his friend Rufus Powell, and a rather unfortunate wolf.

Photo: Courtesy Photo, Houston Chronicle

Provided photo of Hilmar Moore, right, as a boy with his friend... Photo-3850723.53462 - Houston Chronicle

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Next to a large picture of Richmond Mayor Hilmar Moore, A.D. Eversole, the owner of the Richmond Barber Shop points to images of Hilmar as he spoke fondly of his long-time friend and customer who died of natural causes Tuesday at age 92. less

Next to a large picture of Richmond Mayor Hilmar Moore, A.D. Eversole, the owner of the Richmond Barber Shop points to images of Hilmar as he spoke fondly of his long-time friend and customer who died of ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Next to a large picture of Richmond Mayor Hilmar Moore, A.D.... Photo-3850726.53462 - Houston Chronicle

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Jarek Bradshaw walks past the stature of Richmond Mayor Hilmar Moore, one of the longest serving mayors in the United States, who died of natural causes Tuesday at age 92, a family member confirmed.

Jarek Bradshaw walks past the stature of Richmond Mayor Hilmar Moore, one of the longest serving mayors in the United States, who died of natural causes Tuesday at age 92, a family member confirmed.